Takeaway: Here's a quick look at some stories we're reading today.

Keith McCullough – CEO

Fisher Says White House Botched Fed Chairman Succession (via Bloomberg)

US consumer confidence dips (via Yahoo Finance)

Facebook, other banned sites to be open in China free trade zone (via Reuters)

Ex-FBI agent pleads guilty in national security leak (via BBC)

Stories on Hedgeye Radar Screen - sum1

Daryl Jones – Macro

Post Fed Hangover (via Bespoke)

Josh Steiner - Financials

Trader Lost $4M in Romney Bets (via NY Post)

Jonathan Casteleyn – Financials

Gundlach to Manage $450 Million for Prudential’s Jackson (via Bloomberg)

Applied Materials to Buy Tokyo Electron for $9.39 Billion (via Bloomberg)

Kevin Kaiser – Energy

Exclusive: Gulfport Energy ex-chairman received millions in free equity (via Reuters)

National Oilwell Varco (NOV) to Spin-Off Distribution Business (via StreetInsider)

Howard Penney – Restaurants

SEC Doesn't Like Noodles' 'Guests' (via Restaurant Finance Monitor)

Brian McGough – Retail

U.S. Retailers’ Holiday Hiring Seen Falling 6.9% (via Bloomberg)

Abercrombie & Fitch pays out $71,000 to settle lawsuits over hijabs (via The Guardian)

Kravis pushing to buy Jones Group (via NY Post)